tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8832946058186817826..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: High School CurriculumMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-27097109220622250282015-04-18T12:35:05.459-07:002015-04-18T12:35:05.459-07:00Hello, do you need a hacker to help hack any of th...Hello, do you need a hacker to help hack any of the listed below?<br /><br />* Hack and UPGRADE UNIVERSITY GRADES<br />* Hack into CRAIGSLIST and remove account flagging<br />* Hack into any BANK WEBSITE<br />* Hack into any COMPANY WEBSITE<br />* Hack into any GOVERNMENT AGENCY WEBSITE<br />* Hack into SECURITY AGENCY WEBSITE and ERASE CRIMINAL RECORDS<br />* Hack into any DATA BASE<br />* Hack PAY PAL ACCOUNT<br />* Hack WORD-PRESS Blogs<br />* SERVER CRASHED hack<br />* Untraceable IP etc<br />* We can restore LOST FILES AND DOCUMENTS , no matter how long they have been missing.<br />Worry no more as we are here to help you<br /><br />NOTE<br />We can also teach you how to do the following with our e-book and on-line tutorials<br />* Hack and use Credit Card to shop on-line<br />* Monitor any phone and email address<br />* Hack Android & i-Phones<br />* Tap into anybody's call and monitor their conversation<br />* Email and Text message interception<br />contact us at: hackgenius84@gmail.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06295796182922746356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5200101061754363622011-04-08T08:47:58.249-07:002011-04-08T08:47:58.249-07:00I agree that what SPS did to APP MS math was ridic...I agree that what SPS did to APP MS math was ridiculous.<br /><br />Part of the reason I'm pushing back so hard on this HS science alignment is that I think it runs counter to SPS's stated and demonstrated goals and that they will rearrange things to allow 9th graders to skip Physical Science when appropriate in the next year or so. <br /><br />Elaine Woo is on record as saying they never intended the alignment to limit access to higher level science classes for kids who are prepared. SPS has been killing itself trying to enroll as many students in AP and IB classes as possible. Garfield in particular has worked hard at supporting high achiving minority students in getting into college by making sure they get access to high level classes.<br /><br />The implementation of this alignment will undermine these goals for this particular class. Next year there will probably be a way for some nonAPP 9th graders to enroll in higher level science classes, but there will be a backlog of 10th graders who will need those classes as well. Meanwhile this one class will not be able to access the highest level classes and will probably have lower college acceptance rates because of that.<br /><br />It makes much more sense to allow these kids to enroll in the higher level class if they think they can do the work. They can drop down if they can't hack it.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-55938093017465771082011-04-08T08:20:55.517-07:002011-04-08T08:20:55.517-07:00Science is especially problematic in middle school...Science is especially problematic in middle school. At WMS 6th and 7th grade were with the same poor teacher and it was horrible. An automatic A for showing up. My son did homework for his other classes in science and little else. A very bad habit that got him in trouble when he got into HS and was expected to pay attention in science class.annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06891398273398141400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10577409044619368302011-04-08T02:02:45.705-07:002011-04-08T02:02:45.705-07:00In case anyone is wondering, it can be just as fru...In case anyone is wondering, it can be just as frustrating for kids who are actually in APP, but ahead of their peers.<br /><br />Remember, not only did the middle school split destroy math for the top kids that were working 1 or more years above APP, but the district is flat out refusing to allow APP kids to use the <a href="http://district.seattleschools.org/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=212610" rel="nofollow">Math Placement Contract</a> for 6th grade, even though there are classes readily available for them in 6th and 7th. Every kid in the city can opt up a grade from their peers <i>except</i> APP students. This is complete nonsense!<br /><br />On top of that, we're supposed to be getting physical science in 7th and biology in 8th, but the textbooks are so weak that kids are not getting a quality class (and there doesn't seem to be support for going outside the boundaries of the textbook, from what I've seen). Parents are struggling with this, already looking into summer classes to fill in the gaps or planning to repeat in HS. This is NOT because the kids can't handle it, many (if not most) are struggling terribly with boredom, not the material, and would be thrilled to have a more challenging class.<br /><br />So for TOPS kids and others like them around the city, I feel bad for you, but your situation seems to be par for the course. Kids who are working ahead of district standards are left to fend for themselves and fight for scraps no matter what program you're in.been therenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-40696233684313278842011-04-07T22:24:21.198-07:002011-04-07T22:24:21.198-07:00anne, that is so frustrating. I can see some rati...<b>anne</b>, that is so frustrating. I can see some rationale as to why APP requires high verbal and math scores 1st-5th: they can't guarantee walk to different subjects at Lowell and TMarshall. But why does that apply in Middle School-let alone High School? Why is this Seattle's model for Advanced Learning? Is that how other school districts do it?Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-74887639282545104122011-04-07T22:09:39.811-07:002011-04-07T22:09:39.811-07:00My son attended WMS as a Spectrum student and test...My son attended WMS as a Spectrum student and tested into Pre-algebra in 6th grade. He was two years ahead in math. He wasn't as strong in reading so he didn't test into APP, but was always near the edge. He also tested well enough on the WASL to allow him to take physics courses at the UW Robinson Center two summers in a row. He was bored to tears with middle school science! Middle school Spectrum does not have science so science kids are in with general ed. I asked if my son could be in APP science since math/science are strongly correlated aptitudes. He said no. I asked Dr. Vaughan(sp?) and he said no. I pulled my son out of science for 9th grade and homeschooled him through www.k12.com where he took Honors Physical Science. <br /><br />For 9th grade (after K-8 in SPS) I pulled him out and went private.annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06891398273398141400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-77717695515988919132011-04-07T21:00:55.061-07:002011-04-07T21:00:55.061-07:00Jan, Thanks for your post. We're working on it...<b>Jan</b>, Thanks for your post. We're working on it.<br /><br />If anyone thinks their 8th grader is prepared to skip 9th grade Physical Science (Seattle Girls' School? TOPS? Others?), please email the High School PTSA and Science Director, Elaine Woo (ewoo@seattleschools.org), and let them know right now. You can also email me at maureen at germani dot org so we can coordinate.<br /><br />TOPS grads cover 100% of the 9-12 Physical Science standards and at least 75% of the 9-12 Life Sciences standards. Their teacher is certified K-12. There has never been a reason (or a way?) to make sure they get HS credit for what they cover but I spoke with Elaine Woo yesterday about the possibility of piloting a HS level Physical Science class at TOPS (not that I have to authority to do anything about it).<br /><br />It makes more sense to allow those kids to access Marine Bio or Genetics next year than to risk permanently negatively impacting their HS science careers. Kids just like tham have been starting with Bio for years. There can't be a huge number of these kids to deal with and the higher level course is being offered (at GHS) anyway.<br /><br />It might help if APP students could email the PTSA and Ms. Woo and let them know if they have found nonAPP students who enroll in upper level science classes to be well prepared. If they happen to know what middle schools those kids have attended, that information could be useful. TOPS, in particular, sends about 20 kids to GHS every year and from what I understand they do well in advanced science classes.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-83630517809814340372011-04-07T20:50:36.522-07:002011-04-07T20:50:36.522-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-53553345225402046562011-04-07T20:39:24.699-07:002011-04-07T20:39:24.699-07:00The HSPE in science for next year's 10th grade...The HSPE in science for next year's 10th grade co-hort will be an end of course exam in biology. It will not have any physical science questions. So I don't think it is HSPE driving this alignment. If it was- physical science would get pushed back to 8th grade. I know that the physical science classes at Ballard were started by a master NBCT teacher who saw that students were entering biology as sophmores with weak science skills. The idea was to give students who did not have great middle school science classes a chance to catch up on basic science skills in 9th grade. As time went on it became clear to Ballard staff that middle school science was improving and that many students were ready to take biology as freshman. This discussion began because biotech students took biology as freshman and the WASL as 10th graders and did just fine. So the decision was made to open up biology to any incoming student who had a high math level. Using math is not arbitrary. Several studies show a strong correlation between math level and science success. As as result of this Ballard has been able to offer more upper level science classes such as Astronomy and Marine Science. The new science alignment wrecks this. <br /><br />Also - I would like to point out that the definition of rigor is "strictness, severity, or harshness, stiff or unbending." The use of the word rigor to describe classes is yet another example of what curriculum alignment police are actually striving for. Education should be challenging, interesting, exciting, thoughtful, alive but please not rigorous.peonypowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17509224675997284520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44981085505781591572011-04-07T19:23:06.613-07:002011-04-07T19:23:06.613-07:00Oddly enough, it may be the "non-standard&quo...Oddly enough, it may be the "non-standard" elements of the District -- Ballard's science program, APP kids, alts, etc. that give us a way through. If I were organizing something, I would see if I could get a group of parents of kids who legitimately should be able to opt out or reschedule the class -- APP kids (at either school), Spectrum kids, kids who have been on ALO tracks (with ALO report cards). Then, I would see if you can possibly do one of two things: (1) get the middle schools to offer an accelerated track, where these kids can take the high school course in 8th grade, or otherwise take enough science to be able to pass the exam when entering 9th grade), or (2) pitch the need for enough time for APP and high level science courses to talk one or more of the high schools into offering another track (like letting kids take it later, or over the summer, or adding an extra class period so kids can double up between biology and physical science in 9th grade. <br /><br />If Ballard is the "pilot program," we will need to find out next year:<br />1. How many kids tried to opt out;<br />2. How many of the ones who tried passed the exam and got the course waived;<br />3. Of those who did NOT pass, how did they do in 9th grade biology. <br /><br />I really don't like the whole "waivers are ONLY for 'pilot programs' in one or two selected schools, but I think that is where the District currently is. So unless you have a way of loading the course into a middle school, I predict your best bet is to mine the "pilot program" for data and results, and try to convince the District to build on it (using pilots as tests, and then exporting them if successful is what the district has in mind for waivers) by exporting it to other schools as fast as possible. <br /><br />If we hurry, maybe only one or two class years will be screwed by bad implementation of science alignment before we can kick enough holes in the wall to let all the kids who want more challenging science escape the "aligned" track.<br /><br />And, if I were a TOPS parent with a kid going to Garfield, I would scramble NOW to figure out a way to get next year's 8th graders a year of physical science in 8th grade at TOPS, and then storm the castle and demand that they be given the same shot as the APP kids at starting with Biology in 9th grade. <br /><br />And the same goes for Spectrum kids at WMS.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923777229601243321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-29063020445509953022011-04-07T19:18:31.991-07:002011-04-07T19:18:31.991-07:00From the discussapp blog today:
Future Ingraham P...From the discussapp blog today:<br /><br />Future Ingraham Parent said... <br />Students who go to Ingraham will take honors Chemistry in 9th grade, followed by their choice of 1 or 2 years of IB Biology, then options the for IB Chemstry or IB Physics. The IB biology will be a good counterbalance to the current very mediocre 8th grade biology experience.<br /><br />Our experience has been that biology class taught at middle school is not the equivalent of a high school biology class, even though it is supposed to be. So we are glad our child will get solid biology training at Ingraham that the APP pathway at Garfield will not current provideGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12152220985400838255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-31994543106374942122011-04-06T20:44:22.154-07:002011-04-06T20:44:22.154-07:00So is this a done deal re: HS curriculum alignment...So is this a done deal re: HS curriculum alignment? If so, how can we pursuade the district to undo it and provide equal access to advanced classes and programs for ALL motivated and capable students?<br /><br />Curious parentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-7201693363293223762011-04-06T16:38:24.393-07:002011-04-06T16:38:24.393-07:00I am happy to advocate for ensuring both that kids...I am happy to advocate for ensuring both that kids who are not in APP can access various science offerings district-wide and in particular at Garfield. As it happens I have one APP kid, but three kids who are not in APP but are districts for Garfield, so I have a lot of interest in ensuring access for my own kids specifically, even before we get to the point where we are talking about what is appropriate for all kids in the district (and I agree that offering rigor to kids who want or need it regardless of APP status is important).<br /><br />It would be great if people would be charitable and assume that most APP parents are at least average levels of sane and reasonable. I have no desire to create some sort of science wild game preserve for my kid once she hits HS.djhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01720927162286657378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36022383928523363422011-04-06T13:44:55.760-07:002011-04-06T13:44:55.760-07:00Rose M - Thank you for your perspective. It explai...Rose M - Thank you for your perspective. It explains so much about what we've experienced in the last few years.<br /><br />-Not being servedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-59280463703994849192011-04-06T13:28:53.024-07:002011-04-06T13:28:53.024-07:00Sorry that I got away from the topic. But my poin...Sorry that I got away from the topic. But my point is that the current movement to curriculum alignment makes it less likely that exceptional children anywhere on the academic spectrum will be served in our programs.Rose Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06502791495668486857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-63719093368971167322011-04-06T13:22:47.741-07:002011-04-06T13:22:47.741-07:00Spectrum program is only for LA/SS at Washington (...Spectrum program is only for LA/SS at Washington (and Spectrum kids have the opportunity to participate in accelerated math based on a placement test). There is no advanced science for Spectrum kids. In response to the question about a student joining APP in 8th grade, that's really no different than the situation faced by any kid who joins APP after first grade: that kid presumably would not have done the accelerated curriculum that existing APP kids have done, and just joins where the program is.Mercermomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820981090303152934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67778210767083966792011-04-06T13:22:01.758-07:002011-04-06T13:22:01.758-07:00The current model for advanced learning in SPS doe...The current model for advanced learning in SPS does not meet the needs of most advanced learners. <br /><br /> Most advanced learners are not equally gifted in all areas. Our models do not serve those kids. We do not serve the profoundly gifted. We do not serve most twice exceptional kids. A child who is 4 grade levels ahead in math but at grade level in reading, is not gifted in our district. And that child will not be served. A child who is 4 grade levels ahead in math and qualifies for spectrum or APP is not served in our district. If a child in academically advanced 2 or more years but does not score high on IQ testing, that child must be served only in general ed. <br /><br /> Other states have definitions of gifted that include being gifted in one area, being academically advanced and being twice exceptional. They also serve children who are gifted in areas other than reading and math. <br /><br /> The current curriculum alignment makes the situation worse. It use to be that highly gifted math students could do independent study in middle school, but that is no longer possible. <br /><br /> I have spoken to Bob Vaugn several times about this over the years. He does not think the district should serve all gifted kids. He believes that by serving some of the gifted, he can demonstrate our district’s commitment to gifted education and will not have to deal with the rest. He expresses no regret about this position.Rose Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06502791495668486857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-86479776166798374962011-04-06T12:26:00.915-07:002011-04-06T12:26:00.915-07:00And since Spectrum kids are working one grade up, ...And since Spectrum kids are working one grade up, do they take Physical Science in 8th grade? If so, what science class are they registering for for 9th grade?Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-10310497901388636032011-04-06T12:23:27.054-07:002011-04-06T12:23:27.054-07:00Re HSPE: I'm just looking for the cheapest hoo...Re HSPE: I'm just looking for the cheapest hoop for kids to jump through that will let them enroll in the science course that is appropriate for them.<br /><br />Speaking of hoops: what happens to the APP kids who enroll only for 8th grade (having missed 7th grade Physical Science), I wonder if anyone is checking to make sure they enroll in 9th grade Physical Science at Garfield?Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-1559222035447493242011-04-06T12:18:40.308-07:002011-04-06T12:18:40.308-07:00This direction further exascerbates one of the gla...This direction further exascerbates one of the glaring failings in Seattle's approach to advanced learning: you only get it if you can show you are at the requisite levels in both math and reading. While I can appreciate that it's hard to address a student who is advanced in one but not the other at the elementary level where you're in one class all day, I don't see how it's unworkable to provide appropriate acceleration for single-exceptional students at the m.s. and h.s. levels. If you're at the 95% level in reading and 87th in math, why can't you be in an APP LA/SS class and "Spectrum" math class? (And why it's acceptable to limit access to Spectrum I will never understand. If kids have demonstrated aptitude to do work a grade level ahead, how can the District say it will choose by lottery who gets to do it?)Mercermomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11820981090303152934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-72465378191496466822011-04-06T12:14:45.220-07:002011-04-06T12:14:45.220-07:00Careful about HSPE and end of course exams. I am n...Careful about HSPE and end of course exams. I am not sure myself what the future holds there. If there is an EOC exam in p-science, that would be the one to take to place out of that class. <br /><br />As for taking the HSPE or whatever test hoops the state will put one through, isn't that simply to get a diploma? Cannot a student get a fine education, take the same courses as otherwise, and simply not get a diploma? For kids who are going off to college, that might not matter. Could make for a strong college essay even, "Why I will not get a high school diploma."Dorothy Nevillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108759281089768738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88925886622509084392011-04-06T12:13:08.713-07:002011-04-06T12:13:08.713-07:00It's often possible to attend college without ...It's often possible to attend college without technically ever "graduating." (All early entrance students do this, as do students who start college after their junior year of high school, as one of my friends did.) Typically the more selective the college, the less they care about silly hoop-jumping. If you'd been accepted to Caltech and then wrote and said "By the way, technically I'm not going to graduate, because I boycotted the science HSPE," the folks at Caltech would just laugh. <br /><br />Helen Schinskehschinskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10316478950862562594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-6147039902838309202011-04-06T12:11:09.360-07:002011-04-06T12:11:09.360-07:00Hmmm, I wonder if 8th graders could take the Scien...Hmmm, I wonder if 8th graders could take the Science HSPE? Passing that should be sufficient proof that they can skip 9th grade Physical Science. Though actually they would probably have to take it in 7th grade for the official scores to be available in time to register for 9th grade classes.<br /><br />I know Ballard is piloting a placement test that Elaine Woo says was not really designed for that purpose and will be expensive to administer and grade. Maybe they should just copy off an old Science HSPE and administer and grade that.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444916440000921599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18651792347454921132011-04-06T11:58:40.585-07:002011-04-06T11:58:40.585-07:00Bird, if you are asking if you can take the HSPE t...Bird, if you are asking if you can take the HSPE to meet the state high school requirement in 9th grade, the answer is maybe. I hedge because while one of my sons did that in 2007, I have no idea if it is still allowed. The schools liked this because it got some of the kids out of the way and was an early warning for kids who might be in trouble. <br /><br />You can't opt out in high school because your child won't graduate without it. However, you certainly can opt out of it all the way up to 10th grade. This was brought up at the event on Monday night on testing. I pointed out it is possible to opt out but that:<br /><br />1. it could jeopardize Advanced Learning chances (or is that now just the MAP results that are needed?)<br />2. my student is not there to help the school look good on its scores. Sorry. However, since these scores now might be held against teachers in their assessments, it would give me pause because I can see how worrisome it could be for teachers if many kids opted out.<br /><br />At the end of the day, it is your choice. If you see no benefit from it, opt your child out.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12588239576000641336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89781308482090063642011-04-06T11:43:50.655-07:002011-04-06T11:43:50.655-07:00It does seem likely that HSPE is the motivator for...It does seem likely that HSPE is the motivator for everything dumb about the curriculum alignment, which brings to mind two things.<br /><br />One, if the district is forcing all ninth graders to take Physical Science because they are worried about them passing the HSPE, then maybe the test to opt out of Physical Science should be a passing grade on HSPE. <br /><br />I have little kids, I know almost nothing about HSPE. Would it be possible for kids to take it a year early?<br /><br />Two, if the district wants this stuff that parents and students don't want because they want good HSPE performance, would the right way to combat it be to opt out of the HSPE en masse? Is that even possible? Are there repurcusions in high school for not taking the test?Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16540428343439198125noreply@blogger.com